| One of the best things about summer is being able | | | | Poor parties are great family fun. Almost every child |
| to throw a party in the backyard. Whether it be a | | | | on the planet loves to swim in the summer time and |
| family BBQ, a graduation of Father's day party of | | | | even adults are drawn into the childhood |
| even a 4th of July festival, summer parties are | | | | remembrances of frolicking in the water. Crank up |
| awesome. I love stringing up tiki lights, dreaming up a | | | | the grill and plan really big portions. There's nothing |
| theme and whipping up the food. Since I can fit more | | | | like swimming to spark the appetite. |
| people in my outdoor space than inside my house, I | | | | One of my favorite easy recipes for outdoor |
| can invite more people. Something about the sultry | | | | entertaining is grilled pizzas. They go with almost any |
| summer air just invites people to linger and chat. | | | | theme (Hawaiian, Meat lover, gourmet, kid friendly, |
| For Father's day, grill some steaks or ribs with a side | | | | and even upscale with goat cheese and arugula). |
| or corn to show dad you love him. For a graduation | | | | Most of the work is done in advance making the |
| party a stack of burgers will keep the young adult | | | | crust or you can simply use frozen bread dough and |
| crown happy. For dessert, consider homemade ice | | | | each guest can tailor make their own pizza (especially |
| cream on top of warm brownies. Top them with | | | | the kids). Grilled pizza works as an appetizer, a main |
| chocolate sauce and salty peanuts tin roof sundae | | | | course or a dessert topped with grilles fruit and |
| style. | | | | drizzled with white and dark chocolate. And people of |
| For 4th of July, how about slow roasting a brisket, or | | | | all ages enjoy it. |
| pork should for BBQ beef sandwiches or pulled pork | | | | Easy Dinner Recipe - Grilled Pizza |
| sandwiches? I love a North Carolina style pork | | | | Grilled Pizzas |
| sandwich with vinegary BBQ sauce and a coll and | | | | This is a family favorite that kids love. Individual |
| crispy topping of coleslaw. For 4th of July, berries are | | | | pizzas cooked on the grill or campfire cook up fast |
| on season so you can serve red white and blue ice | | | | and can be tailored to individual tastes. You can |
| cream sundaes with strawberry and blueberry | | | | choose to make basic pizza or choose more |
| sauces. | | | | sophisticated toppings like brie and portabella. |
| A luau is a great theme for a summer party. Serve | | | | Serves 4 |
| mai tais with fruit spears and tiny umbrellas. Grill | | | | Ingredients |
| shrimp on skewers alternated with pineapple chunks. | | | | 2 ea Refrigerated pizza dough |
| String up the tiki lights, put out some grass skirts and | | | | 2 Tb Olive oil |
| coconut tops ans see if anyone is brave enough to | | | | 1 Can Pizza or spaghetti sauce |
| model. If you have plenty of time and space roast a | | | | 3 C Mozzarella cheese - grated |
| pig, either in a pit in the ground kalua style or rent a | | | | Assorted pizza toppings - sliced tomato - pepperoni |
| rotisserie and cook it over hot coals. Be sure to allow | | | | Instructions |
| enough time for this, because a party can get out of | | | | Preheat the grill or campfire until hot. If it is raining, |
| hand if the pig doesn't get done in time to eat and | | | | you can always use the broiler. Roll out the dough, |
| too many mai tais were consumed while waiting. | | | | stretch and form into individual size pizza crusts. Brush |
| A wine tasitng event is a really great outdoor mixer, | | | | with olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill the crusts 2 |
| because you can serve the wine in several locations | | | | minutes per side until firm. Remove and top with |
| throughout your entertaining space. Pair each wine | | | | sauce, cheese and toppings. Grill until cheese is melted |
| with some cheese and fruit. Your local wine merchant | | | | and toppings are heated through. |
| or gourmet grocery store would be glad to help you | | | | Note: You can also pre-grill vegetable toppings like |
| with the pairing if you need help. Be sure to serve | | | | peppers and portabellas. |
| heartier fare to to balance the food and drink intput. | | | | |